duplicitást

Duplicitás is a Hungarian noun meaning duplicity, deceitfulness, or two-faced behavior. The term denotes patterns in which a person presents contradictory beliefs, statements, or actions, or maintains a false front to mislead others. It can refer to hypocrisy, double standards, or deliberate misrepresentation. The form duplicitást is the accusative singular used when the word is the direct object in a sentence.

The word derives from Latin duplicitas, via French duplicité, and entered Hungarian in the early modern period. In scholarly and public discourse, duplicity is discussed as a moral and social problem, distinct from mere error or ambiguity.

Common manifestations include lying about intentions, concealing motives, presenting inconsistent statements to different audiences, or applying two different sets of rules to similar situations. In political, corporate, or intimate contexts, duplicity can be used strategically to gain advantage while avoiding accountability.

Ethically, duplicity raises questions of trust, integrity, and responsibility. It tends to erode credibility and social capital, and in formal settings may expose individuals to legal risk under fraud or misrepresentation doctrines, depending on jurisdiction. Psychologically, it intersects with traits such as manipulation or Machiavellianism and with cognitive processes that justify or excuse deceptive behavior.

Detection and response rely on transparency, verification, and accountability mechanisms. Whistleblowing, audits, and fact-checking can mitigate harms, while cultural norms and organizational structures influence what is tolerated or sanctioned.